46 to 48 God's pleading against idolatry; sovereign redemption

In chapters 46, 47, the application is made to Babylon and to her
idols, but still as pleading for Israel as beloved of God; for
governmental judgment is always the deliverance of the beloved
righteous. Babylon with all her pride and all her idols must come down
and sit in the dust. In chapter 48 Jehovah at length pleads with
Israel. He specifies Israel, the name of relationship with Himself,
Jehovah, which those He is pleading with bear and claim, while noting
that they were descended from Judah -- in a word, the Jews, who had
the place of Israel and called upon the name of the God of Israel; but
He declares their wickedness and obstinacy. He had told them many
things long before, and had made new revelations to them, that they
might know that Jehovah is God. But they hearkened not; they did not
understand. Nevertheless for the glory of His name Jehovah would not
cut them off; but would refine them as silver. He reminds them in an
affecting manner of the blessing they would have enjoyed had they kept
His commandments. Nevertheless it is even now declared unto them that
Jehovah has redeemed His people. But as for the wicked, there is no
peace unto them. This continual pleading against idolatry, whilst
giving instruction for that day, seems to prove that, up to the end,
the question of Israel's either testifying against idolatry or being
defiled with it themselves will have a principal place. For the
government of the world it is a primary question. The god of this
world governs by means of idols; Jehovah, by His own name. Israel
ought to have been the witness of this. They will be unfaithful to it
in the last days. This is the reason why there is so much testimony
here on the subject.